I recently looked at my diary for the next six (now five) weeks, and felt completely overwhelmed by all the non-writing/real-life stuff that will be happening, and made the decision to put my writing on hold.

It wasn't an easy decision - the last time I stopped writing (while pregnant and coping with a four year old) I didn't start again for a year!

This time, however, I've already started doodling in my notebooks - just the fact that I've given myself permission to not write means I want to. I'm staying away from my current projects though, avoiding my computer files and the hard-copy draft that's sitting on my shelf, and instead just letting my mind run free.

So far, without the compulsion to be at my computer for several hours a day, I have:

walked my dog for much longer than normal, and spent time talking to other dog walkers